What does apricot mean?
An apricot is a small, round stone fruit with soft, velvety skin and sweet-tart flesh ranging from yellow to deep orange, enjoyed fresh, dried, or in preserves such as jam. The word also denotes the tree (Prunus armeniaca) on which the fruit grows — a hardy species cultivated for thousands of years — and, by extension, a warm pinkish-orange colour reminiscent of the ripe fruit. In everyday use, 'apricot' most often appears in culinary contexts: fresh apricots at summer markets, dried apricots in baking and trail mixes, and apricot jam spread on toast. The fruit carries pleasant connotations of warmth, sunshine, and late-summer abundance, which makes the word a popular choice for describing colours in fashion, interior design, and cosmetics. Its scientific name, meaning 'Armenian plum', reflects the long trade routes by which the fruit reached Europe.
A round, orange-yellow stone fruit with velvety skin, eaten fresh or dried; also the tree (Prunus armeniaca) that produces it.
"Apricots thrive in regions with hot summers and cold winters."
When referring to the fruit collectively or as food, the plural 'apricots' is usual: 'a kilo of apricots'.
A moderate orange or pinkish-yellow colour like that of the ripe fruit.
"She chose an apricot scarf to brighten the grey coat."
Regular plural, used when referring to multiple fruits or trees. As a mass noun, 'apricot' can denote the colour or flavour without a plural.
"The market stalls were piled high with ripe apricots."
The apricot's name traveled through Arabic and Latin before reaching English — and the tree itself is called 'Armenian plum' in its scientific name, though it likely originated in China.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of apricot
The word 'apricot' entered English in the mid-sixteenth century, borrowed from Portuguese 'albricoque' or Spanish 'albaricoque', which derived from Arabic 'al-birquq'. The Arabic term ultimately traces back to Latin 'praecoquum' or 'praecox', meaning 'early-ripening', the same root that gives English 'precocious'. The fruit itself is thought to have originated in China and spread westward along trade routes; its botanical name, Prunus armeniaca ('Armenian plum'), reflects a later European belief that it came from Armenia.
Related word forms
How apricot is actually used
The word is standard in both British and American English. In British English it is often pronounced /ˌeɪprɪˈkɒt/ with stress on the second syllable; American English typically uses /ˈæprəkɑːt/. As a colour term, 'apricot' is common in fashion, design, and cosmetics.
Easily confused with apricot
A peach is a larger, juicier stone fruit with fuzzy rather than smooth-velvety skin, while an apricot is smaller, firmer, and more tart.